Device for supplying a fluid and for recovering said fluid in the same space

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a device that is designed to supply water to aircraft galleys. The inventive device operates simply, autonomously and independently and is provided with a simple structure. Said device is characterized in that it comprises a system which supplies a quantity of pressurized water from bladder tank I of a container, consisting of a receptacle ( 1 ) and a cover ( 2 ), and which recovers an equivalent or greater quantity of contaminated water in bladder tank S of the same container. In this way, there is no longer an outflow of water. The invention requires no electrical or pneumatic pump. The pressure in the water circuit is generated by the spring ( 4 ) which is compressed in the container when bladder tank I is being filled with drinking water and which acts on the piston ( 3 ), which in turn compresses L The water circuits are reduced to a minimum. The inventive device is installed in a pressurized area and eliminates all frost-related risks.

[0001] The invention relates to a hydraulic device, situated in adetachable container, designed to supply and distribution of pressurizedstored liquid and its recuperation in the same volume.

[0002] This process is found in a container sealed and pre-filled,easily interchangeable, which needs no energy and totally autonomous,assuring a dynamic pressure necessary to the circulation of the liquid.This container is reusable, clean and not bulky, as compared for exampleto the circuits for supply of water usually found on airplanes.

[0003] In general, the water circuit system on business planes iscomposed of:

[0004] fixed tanks, filled under pressure or by gravity;

[0005] electrical pumps enabling a constant flow to the tap;

[0006] pipes permitting the discharge of wastewater outside;

[0007] drainage masts, some of them heated, supposed to avoid theformation of ice.

[0008] These water circuits cross through frames, non pressurised ornon-conditioned zones like under the floors of the cockpit and cause, incase of leak or breakdown, long and dumps costly, leaving also theairplane immobilized. The electrical systems are composed ofthermostatic sensors and resistances which characterize the complexitythereof inducing such problems of reliability sometimes, and which bringout real risk linked with frost. Furthermore, problems of noise appearfrom depressurisation when discharging wastewater outside (in theatmosphere).

[0009] The main object of this invention is, therefore, to bring anautonomous and independent solution of structure simple and silentfunctioning which minimises the volume of storage of drinkable water andwastewater.

[0010] This invention comprises a container enveloping two extensibleand compressible tanks separated by a piston disc. The inferior tankcontains liquid destined for the user. The superior tank recuperates thewastewater, and proposes, in fact, at least an equal volume, or evensuperior. The piston disc compresses the inferior tank against the wallsof the container, with the help of a spring, arranged in the superiortank, thus creating a pressure on the membrane of the tank containingthe liquid to be supplied.

[0011] In the inferior part, the tank is linked, through the containerto a rigid pipe by a cross coupling. This connection which enables arapid dismantling of the elements comprises near the coupling: on onehand a replenishment valve (allowing the replenishment at a givenpressure), and on the other hand a rigid canalisation, which can beequipped with a pressure regulator, ending up by a quick connectingsystem to a supply circuit.

[0012] The volume of liquid expelled in the supply circuit isrecuperated, after its use, in the superior tank whose volume increasesin the same proportion.

[0013] The installation of the container requires: the connection to thesupply circuit and the connection to the drainage system.

[0014] At the time of coupling the container by a quick coupling, thedrainage pipe opens a non return valve situated in the superior part ofthe tank. At the time of disconnection, this valve, pushed by thespring, assures water tightness during manipulations.

[0015] After use, the container is removed so as to allow its discharge,cleaning and replenishment and to be used again. After overturning thecontainer, emptying can be done without dismantling, by pressing on thepointer of the valve allowing the flow of recuperated liquid.

[0016] The lid, covering the superior part of the container locks andunlocks by a quick system. Its withdrawal enables access to all innerelements of the container such as: tanks, springs, pistons so as toallow necessary conditioning interventions for a new use.

[0017] This device can be used according to the needs, in all sanitaryfittings including sinks or furniture equipped with sinks whatever themodel of the airplane. It is, however, possible to add to it a levelcontrol system.

[0018] The diagrams (FIGS. 1, 2, 3), illustrate an embodiment of thedevice, showing three phases of a container distributing andrecuperating water given as a non-limiting example. The three figuresshow a container consisting of a body (1) principal recipient, which isclosed by a lid (2) and contains the inferior tank (1) and the liquid(5), the spring (4) and the superior tank (S).

[0019] When the container is connected to the drainage system at the lidlevel (2), the pipe (13) of the drainage pipe is engaged and locks inthe orifice of the lid, the pipe (13) rests on the pointer of the valve(6) equipping the lid and thus allows its opening.

[0020] The piping (10) enabling distribution can be provided with apressure regulator (11), is extended by a quick coupling (12). At thetime of installation, the device is connected to the clean circuit ofthe tap by quick coupling (12) which is equipped with a non returnvalve. This device can be completed by a shut-off valve (notrepresented).

[0021] Referring to FIG. 1, the inferior tank (1) is filled up with thesupplying liquid (5) under pressure (P) provided by the piston disc (3)under the effect of the spring (4).

[0022] Pressure (P) exercised by the compressed spring is superior tothe use pressure and necessitates a regulator (regulator 11)

[0023] The piping (10) is connected to the tank (1) by a cross coupling(7) on which the overpressure valve (9) is set, useful duringreplenishment of the tank. This valve protects the spring from apressure which can damage it. When it opens, allowing water to flowthrough, it indicates that the maximal volume of replenishment isattained. The cross coupling (7) is also provided with a quick coupling(8) which allows the filling of the tank (I) by connecting to apressurized source, for example a public water network supply.

[0024] The empty inferior tank (S) already offers a free volume whichenables the recuperation of an additional quantity (limited) compared tothe volume of liquid contained in the tank (I).

[0025] Referring to FIG. 2, when a user opens the tap of the sink,wastewater (14) is recuperated in the tank (S). This tank is a flexiblesleeve shaped as an open bag whose neck forms a retaining wallreinforced inside by a framework moulded in the envelope. This retainingwall serves as seal plan between the lid (2) and the body (1) of thecontainer and assures water tightness between them. When using water,the tank (I) discharges its drinkable water, the spring extends andcompresses the tank (1) by means of the piston disc (3). This pressure(P) diminishes but remains superior to the pressure used. The volume ofwater in the tank (S) increases in proportion equal or inferior to watervolume used in the tank (1).

[0026] Referring to FIG. 3, the inferior tank (I) is empty, the pressure(P) is inferior to the use pressure, the regulator (11) prevents theflow of water, the tank (S) is full of wastewater.

[0027] The removal can take place. The coupling (12) equipped with a nonreturn valve is disconnected first, then the drainage pipe (13) whichdrives the closure of the orifice of the lid (2) by the valve (6) andtherefore assures water tightness of the tank (S). The replacement ofthe container can be done, even in flight, if necessary.

[0028] The emptying of the container is done by overturning it, then bypressing on the pointer of the valve in a delivery sink, so that itopens and liberates its contents of wastewater. Once the emptying isdone, the lid (2) can be opened, the tank (S) can be taken out in orderto either cleaning it or replacing it, the spring (4) and the piston (3)can be removed, then the tank (I) can be disconnected and removed out(either to clean or to exchange it).

[0029] The conditioning of the container is realized by connecting thetank (I) through to the body (1) to the cross coupling (7), byinstalling the piston disc, the spring and the superior tank (S), thenby locking the lid (2). The replenishment of the tank (I) is done byconnecting the quick coupling (8) to a source of pressure and ends up bythe opening up of the overpressure valve.

[0030] Extension of this process can be applied to all vehicles likecamping car or others, in which the place reserved to the recuperationof wastewater is small. In aeronautic, this system enables to develop anetwork of specialised service in the distribution, maintenance,manipulation and re-use. This rapid service, provides a qualityperformance at low cost.

1. Hydraulic device designed to supply a liquid and recuperation of saidliquid after use in this same device, in a autonomous way characterisedin that it comprises a flat or cylindrical container formed by arecipient (1) and a lid (2), including two tanks, a superior tank (S)which could be bigger than an inferior tank (1), said tanks beingseparated by a disc (3) which compresses the inferior tank (1), a spring(4) which exerts a pressure (P) on the inferior tank (I) by pressing onthe disc (3), a quick and water tightness mode of connection enablingits connection and disconnection formed by a coupling (7), a piping(10), a quick coupling (12) for distribution and a non return valve (6)arranged on the lid (2) for the discharge, and means for replenishmentof the inferior tank (I) comprising the coupling (7) which includes of anon return valve (8) and an overpressure valve (9), which can beprovided with a regulator pressure (11).
 2. Device, according to claim1, characterised in that the elements (I) (S) (3) (4) are included inwater tight container formed by (1) and (2).
 3. Device according toclaims 1 and 2, characterised in that the superior tank (S) has agreater capacity than the inferior tank (1).
 4. Device according toclaims 1 and 3, characterised in that the tank (1) contains a supplyingliquid (5) and in that the tank (S) contains recuperated liquid (14). 5.Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that thesupplying liquid (5) is stored under pressure (P).
 6. Device accordingto claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the disc element (3) locatedbetween the inferior tank (I) and that the superior tank (S) exerts thepressure (P) provided by the spring (4) on the inferior tank (I) in anhomogenous way.
 7. Device according claims 1 to 6, characterised in thatwhatever the form of the container, spring element (4) of variable shapeexerts a constant pressure on the disc (3) which, by transmitting it tothe tank (1), enables the dispatch of under pressure liquid in thedistribution circuit. This pressure diminishes gradually as the liquidis distributed (5).
 8. Device according to claims 1 and 4, characterisedin that the tank (I) which is made of an elastic substance, tight, andwhich is balloon like shaped, is fixed up at the level of the bladderthrough a passage situated in the inferior part of the container(container 1).
 9. Device according to claims 1 and 8, characterised inthat the coupling (7) links the tank (1), through its bladder and thepassage (1) to the distribution piping (10) to the over pressure valve(9) and to the non return coupling (8).
 10. Device according to any oneof claims, characterised in that the circuit of distribution,constituted of a distribution sluice, a pressure regulator and a pipingallows a regular flow when the tap is opened.
 11. Device according toany of the claims, characterised in that the recuperation of used oradded liquid, is done by gravity through evacuation ducts leading to thehose (13) inserted in the orifice of the lid (2), in the superior tank(S), by increasing the volume, which takes the place of the expulsedvolume from the inferior tank (I).
 12. Device according to claims 1 to11, characterised in that the lid (2) has a form and a structureincluding of an orifice in which is connected the hose (13), a supportwhere a valve is fixed up (6) and a quick lock system on the body (1)providing access to different elements of the container.
 13. Deviceaccording to claims 1, 11 and 12, characterised in that the non returnvalve (6) sealing the orifice of the lid (2) has a pointer which enablesits opening and its closure. This pointer enabling the liquid (14) topenetrate into the tank (S), being pushed by the hose during connectionthereof with the lid, and enables the emptying of the superior tank (S),when the container is detached, being pushed by the far end of thereceiving tank after turnover.
 14. Device according to claims 1 to 12characterised in that the body (1) has an orifice in its inferior part,through which the bladder (I) is fixed, and a neck in its superior partto provide a support to put into position the tank (S) and a lock meanssystem with the lid (2).
 15. Device according to claims 1 to 14,characterised in that the replenishment of the inferior tank (1) is doneby connecting to the coupling (8) a source of liquid under a pressuresuperior to (P). Replenishment is attained when the over pressurizedvalve (7) opens up to let surplus liquid slip out.